Coventry chip shop has been named one of the best in Britain

[dutchman]

A list of the 50 best chip shops in the UK has been revealed - a Coventry takeaway has been included on the round up



The top 50, which was compiled by industry specialists Fry Magazine , features just one chip shop in the city and Warwickshire.

Coopers Fish Bar, situated in Gulson Road, was included on the gargantuan shortlist.

Wrapped in newspaper, doused in salt and vinegar and with a wooden fork in hand, fish and chips are one of life's little pleasures.

Shops that made the cut were chosen after four-months of mystery dining, where assessors from an independent company assessed various aspects including staff friendliness, cleanliness and product knowledge.

There were also points of offer for quality of the food - testing everything from the crispness of the batter, to the texture of chips and the flakiness of the fish.

Reece Head, competition organiser, comments: “We would like to congratulate all those shops that made our Top 50 Fish & Chip Takeaways 2017.

"The pass mark was once again set very high at 95% and to achieve that takes a lot of dedication and hard work from everyone involved, from the owner to the manager, to the frier and the counter staff.

"It really is a team effort.

“Running a fish and chip shop gets harder every year with so much going on behind the scenes, so to serve up excellent quality food with a matching level of service and atmosphere day-in day-out deserves to be recognised."

Reece added: "All the shops that made the 50 Best have proved they go the extra mile to give their customers the best possible experience, whether that’s detailing the boat that catches the day’s fish, running weekly specials, or simply taking time out to ask customers how their day has been.

"This is what puts these chippies ahead and keeps customers coming back time and time again.”

[rebbonk]

Not been there for years, but I've had a few decent meals from there: unlike the rubbish found locally to where I now live.

[dutchman]

There's been a chip shop on that corner for a hundred years I believe although I only ever used it once, in the mid 1960s, when visiting a friend who lived in Humber Avenue.

[rebbonk]

I lived round there for 6 months about 26 years ago. I crashed into the chippie after many a night in the (I think) Hare and Hounds.

In fact, living around Stoke was very enjoyable.

[dutchman]

Revealed: The secret of Coventry's best chippy



Chunky chips are the reason this Coventry chippy has been dubbed one of the best in the country.

One whiff of Coopers Fish and Chips is enough to set your hunger pangs off and judges of a top 50 list were impressed too.

Bali Basra, who’s owned the Gulson Road takeaway for nearly 22 years, is a chip off the old block as her dad Mukhtiar had chip shops in Coventry when she was growing up in the 80s.

The delighted mum-of-two said: “Our chips are golden and crispy on the outside and fluffy, and being here 22 years I still haven’t got bored of eating them.”

Shop regular and student Phil Nunn ordered some brain food of sausage and chips before his last ever exam today.

The 22-year-old said: “Don’t tell my mum but I’m here probably about three times a week, twice if I’m trying to diet.

“I’ve been here a year and I do consider them friends, sometimes I just come in for a chat even if I’m too full for chips.”

When 44-year-old Bali took over the business she had just had her first baby.

She said: “I’ve always said this shop is like my baby.”

And it goes the extra mile by delivering to the housebound or people with young children.

[dutchman]

This Cov chippy is one of the best in the UK



A Coventry fish and chip shop has scored a place in the UKs top 50 takeaways for the second year running.

They say it’s the fresh produce and service with a smile that keeps the people of Coventry coming back for more.

Cooper’s Fish Bar, on Gulson Road , is the only chippy in Coventry and Warwickshire to be named in the honour list by Fry Magazine.

And they had tough competition for the tastiest chips, with more than 600 shops vying for a place following an unannounced visit from a mystery diner to each.

Cooper’s serves fresh chunky chips , all the traditional accompaniments and a range of vegetarian and vegan options.

Bail Basra, 45, has run the business since 1995 when she was handed the reins by her parents.

She doesn’t shy away from getting stuck in with her colleagues, and told the Telegraph that even after more than two decades behind the fryer she never gets bored.

Bali said: “I will have owned it for 24 years this October. It’s always been a family-run business and my boys would help me out when they were younger too.

“I take great pride and joy doing what I do. There’s never a day where I get bored.”

This is the second year running the chippy has been selected as one of the 50 best in the country.

And the accolade has really boosted business, according to Bali.

“Winning the award last year and getting recognised for our hard work really gave me a boost. It made me want to achieve more and make sure we keep our high standard,” she said.

“There’s three things that I think are key to that high standard and they are good quality food, great customer service and a clean hygienic shop - and that’s what the mystery shopper recognised when they visited.

“I don’t feel afraid to put us forward for this award every year because I know there’s nothing I have to do differently for a mystery shopper. The effort is always there.”